Transnational Crime: Challenges, Types, and International Responses

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of transnational crime, exploring its definition, various types such as drug trafficking and human trafficking, and the impact on affected countries. It distinguishes between transnational and international crime, highlighting the challenges in combating these activities. The essay analyzes the organized nature of transnational crime, the involvement of criminal groups, and their connections with corrupt officials. It also discusses the role of international organizations like Interpol and UNODC in combating transnational crime through conventions, protocols, and international cooperation. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for international policies, governmental frameworks, regulatory measures, and efficient international police systems to achieve sustainability and peace globally.

Transnational Crime

Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................3
Transnational Crime..........................................................................................................4
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................8
References.......................................................................................................................10
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Introduction
The globalization has paved the way for growth and advancement throughout the world
in the field of technology, economy and societal development as well (Kennedy &
Warren, 2018). The cross border businesses transactions have enabled the domestic
economies of the countries to strengthen the corporate framework and thereby the
national monetary and fiscal policy and position in the international trade. The
multinational companies have been in the forefront in this activity and their widespread
presence across the globe by way of their diversified operations, unique offering and
value proposition in line with the changing and dynamic demand framework of the
consumers have created a pace in the growth and sustainable development. Amidst
such development, the crime has also emerged to be one of the most significant and
critical aspects of the international segment, especially in the backdrop of cross-border
business and the globalised world (Kennedy & Warren, 2018).
As per the opinion of Haken (2011), transnational crime has been considered to be one
of the most critical threats to the world economy and society as the same involves
casualty, injury and financial loss at a larger scale that may even adversely impact the
human rights. The instant essay delves into the discussion in the given topic here and
the theme of the discussion will revolve around the transnational crime.
At the very outset of the study, the researcher provides a brief introduction to the topic
followed by the discussion on the overview of the concept of transnational crime. In the
latter part of the essay, the researcher identifies the implications of transnational crime
in the countries affected in the given process of committing such crimes. in addition, the
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paper also aims to analyze the different types of transnational crimes and also the ways
as to how the crime has been purported worldwide. Finally, the researcher provides a
recommendation to how the crimes may be curbed and human rights may be restored.
In the last, the researcher concludes the discussion by way of providing an ending note
to the topic.
Transnational Crime
In the consideration of Freidrichs (2010), the concept of transnational crime has been
conversably wide and involves the crimes committed across the world. In short, the
crimes committed by the people at a global scale and across the national border may be
collectively termed as a transnational crime (Kennedy & Warren, 2018). The primary
theme of such crime emerges out of the revolutionary growth and development on the
technological, economic and social segment in one hand and simultaneously growing
disparity and non-equal distribution of wealth on the other hand (Haken, 2011). In the
consideration of Haken (2011), these two factors have jointly contributed a social
inequality which aggravates the crime at a global level. As a result, the concept of
transnational crime has evolved.
In this context, it will be wise to distinguish the concept of transnational crime with that
of the international crime., Transnational crime is generally committed keeping in mind
the financial motive; whereas, the international crime is committed as per the agenda of
the terrorist groups. In addition, it may also be stated that transnational crimes generally
involve a minimum of two countries Kennedy & Warren, 2018. On the other hand,
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international crime often may take place within the boundary of one country (Freidrichs,
2010).
The context of the two countries has been interesting to note in the given scenario
especially when one country is the offender’s operating zone and the second is the
affected one. In the opinion of Kennedy & Warren (2018), it has often been observed
that the criminals are operating from a specific country and the victimized country has
thereafter appealed the former one to take necessary measures against the culprit,
either through prosecution or through the handover of the criminals to them. However, it
may be noted that most of the times, such extradition has not been possible either
because of the unwillingness or because of the inability of the state to catch the
criminals (Haken, 2011). In such a scenario, international forums have developed
cooperation which will help the countries in the distressed situation by way of legal;
support, extradition and lawful removal of the culprits. As per Freidrichs (2010), the
extradition has been widely accepted methods for removing the fugitives legally from
the state or the country where the criminals have been staying.
As per Albanese (2011), there are different types of transnational crimes such as drug
trafficking, human trafficking, extortion of political leaders and celebrities and well-
known persons, human slavery, counterfeiting of goods, smuggling, cyber attacks etc.
From the list herein it may be stated that all these kinds of crimes are purported
primarily keeping in mind the basic objective of earning financial gains. Simultaneously
this is also true that these crimes may only be committed if the crime is committed at an
organizational level (Kennedy & Warren, 2018). In other words, the crimes are
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committed in an organized manner and hence, there runs a separate or group of
separate criminals who are involved in such activities (Freidrichs, 2010).
Talking about a specific type of transnational crime, the example of drug trafficking may
be considered which is one of the most prominent and glaring examples of transnational
crime prevalent across the word in the present days. UNODC has mentioned that
globally almost 40% of drugs and heroin are prohibited within the process between
production and consumption. However, it is interesting to note that only 1% of the
money involved in such trade has ever been recovered. apart from UNODC, there are
several other official bodies also who are responsible for monitoring the drug abuse and
unfair trade of the drug. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration is one of
them. The Body and similar organizations across the globe has been focusing on the
process of unearthing the drug peddling businesses. The regulatory and administrative
bodies have been involved in seizing drug products and tracking the drug peddlers
throughout the globe with the help of Interpol and other organizations. In this context, it
may be stated that global drug trafficking market may be estimated to be approximately
$652 billion in the year 2014. The primary source of drug trafficking is Cannabis which
can be produced throughout the globe. However, the production of cocaine is restricted
to the few regions in South America and Afghanistan. It is needless to mention that drug
trafficking has a destabilizing effect on the all countries involved in the process of such
trafficking ranging from the production to consumption through trade and distribution.
The ill-effect may involve violence health issues and also the economic distortions of the
countries so involved.
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As stated earlier, since these criminals groups operate in a collective manner, it may be
difficult for the governments to arrest them or even to get a hold on them. They run a
well-organized racket which helps them to purport such crimes in mass scale (Jens,
2018). However, in this context, it may also be observed that these criminals groups
often act in a coherent manner and thus take help from other criminal’s groups as well
(Vlassis and Williams, 2013). However, there often arises a difference in their
approaches and objectivities which may lead to disagreements between them. Still,
these groups take help from each other because committing such large scaled crime
may not be possible without properly designed and efficiently planned nexus with higher
officials, politicians and influential persons of the states or the countries. Different
authors have, time to time asserted the nexus between the corrupted government
officials and politicians with the criminals (Albanese, 2011).
Interestingly, in the opinion of Albanese (2011), these criminals locate themselves from
anywhere as today’s technologically connected world does not require anyone to be
stationed anywhere. In other words, they can operate from anywhere in the world.
Cyber attacks, for example, may be committed from any geographically dispersed
location and hence, the location and mobility of these criminals do not matter much, as
far as their mode of operations is concerned (Freidrichs, 2010).
Since these criminals act in a coordinated way, the government's initiatives to halt such
crime from occurring is an expensive proposition at times for which necessary
budgeting may also not be done by the Governments (Haken, 2011). However, there is
an international body that deals with such crime and it is commonly called Interpol
(international criminal police organization). Interpol is the world's largest police
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organization that spans across the world with its huge number of police officers present
all over the globe (Albanese, 2011). The primary aim of the Interpol is to reveal
international and transnational crimes and in doing so, they collect, analyze and
interpret the data related to international and transnational crimes. In the consideration
of Friedrichs (2017), there is another significantly important organization that also fights
against international crimes and the same is the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crimes (UNODC). UNODC has formulated a convention called the United Nations
Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (Kennedy & Warren, 2018). In the
opinion of Jens (2018), the said convention is multifaceted to facilitate smooth
international policing in terms of maintaining bank secrecy, keeping prosecutors
worldwide, allowing international arrest warrants and also creating set up for
interrogation through video conferencing and so on (Jens, 2018). In addition, the UN
has also passed conventions “The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking
in Persons, especially Women and Children. This protocol has helped the Interpol and
other authorities to investigate and arrest the criminals in the case of human trafficking
and child abuse worldwide (Friedrichs, 2017).
As per Vlassis and Williams (2013), it may also be stated that legal initiatives like the
conventions and protocol of various bodies have been undertaken. Along with the
same, effort should also be made to alienate the poverty and social inequality which is
the root cause of crimes. In addition, the regulatory bodies should also, time to time,
have a close look into these protocols and conventions and see their effectiveness and
need for revision (Friedrichs, 2017).
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Conclusion
On the basis of the discussion and analysis as performed in the preceding sections of
the essay, it may be construed that the transnational crime been all-pervasive and may
need to be fought against with strict hands. There has been a number of challenges for
the governments and regulatory bodies across the globe to curb the crimes at the
international and transnational level (Albanese, 2011). However, the governments
should be vigilant enough to keep a close eye on these crimes and undertake measures
in association with Interpol and the UN as well (Haken, 2011). Therefore, it may be
finally concluded that a well-designed international policy supported by the strong
Governmental framework and regulatory measures including the efficient international
police system will significantly help the governments across the world to achieve the
much-desired goal of sustainability and peace across the globe in the long-run in most
cost and time efficient manner (Aas, 2013). .
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References
Aas, KF, (eds) 2013, Globalization and crime, SAGE Publications Limited, retrieved 20
october 2012,Ebook Library database.
Albanese, JS 2011, Transnational Crime and the 21st century: Criminal enterprise,
corruption, and opportunity, Oxford University Press, Cambridge, MA
Freidrichs, D.O 2010, Mortgage origination fraud and the global economic crisis: Journal
of Incremental versus transformative policy initiatives,vol.33,no.1,pp.627-650.
Friedrichs, O.Friedrichs 2017, Trusted Criminals: Journal ofWhite collar crime in
contemporary society, vol.57, no.2, pp.56-76.
Haken, J 2011 a, Transnational crime in the developing world, Routledge, London.-
2011b, On Global financial integrity, Routledge, London
Jens Ludwig, "Machine Learning in the Criminal Justice System", viewing online, vol. 8,
no.2, retrieved 8 June 2018<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI1RUNPh8cg>
Kennedy, S & Warren, I 2018, Southern Criminology, Law and the ‘Right' to Consular
Notification in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. International Journal for
Crime, Justice and Social Democracy,vol.33, no. 1, pp.100-114, retrieved 4 Nov 2017,
Psychology source complete database.
Vlassis, D and Williams, P 2013. Combating transnational crime: concepts, activities,
and responses. Brookings institution press, vol.40, no. 71, pp.110-134.
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